The Danger Of Neglect

by Leonard Ross, Aberdeen, Scotland | Category: Leadership In Remnant Times | Nov 1993

Separated from the peoples of the land, dedicated to walk in God's law, determined to keep their social life and behaviour in line with God's will, committed to honouring Him in every aspect of spiritual service - the people of God were behind their leaders in the declaration "and we will not forsake the house of our God" (see Neh. 10:39)

But - and how often this word occurs in the divine record! - when we come to the last chapter of Nehemiah we hear that outstanding leader ask, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" We move forward some years to hear the Lord Jesus declare "Your house is left unto you desolate" (Mat. 23:38) a picture of great spiritual decline.

Nehemiah addressed the problems with which he was confronted, but it is clear that the spiritual health of the people of God further deteriorated and we come to "the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi". Ii is difficult to be precise about the exact time of this appeal to Israel, but it seems to fit a time somewhat after Nehemiah. Perhaps thirty to forty years have elapsed and the influence of his strong leadership has receded; standards have slipped - perhaps imperceptibly under the banner of tolerance and greater understanding which really prove to be compromise. Malachi is a book of many questions, but we concentrate on seven of them - the seven "Whereins", questions which smack of cynicism and selfjustification in their response to the

word of the Lord.

"Wherein (or How) Has Thou

Loved Us?"

Such a question identifies the real reason for spiritual decline. The everlasting und electing love of God had been demonstrated time after time, and ii is sad that the people, doubting God's love towards them, should react angrily and with self-complacence to the probing questions of God's "messenger" as he challenges them about the standard of their spiritual service. The Lord's words to a following generation are apt "But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves" (John 5:42). How far removed from the ideal of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with Israel "Live... to love the LORD thy God, to obey His voice, and to cleave unto Him" ~ut. 30:19,20). "You don't love us" must have deeply hurt God.

The enjoyment of God's love was being hindered by the sins of the people. That love demanded respect and reverence, but it was receiving neither, and so blessing from God was

hindered. Perhaps the people saw this lack of blessing - material and spiritual prosperity - as evidence that God did not love them. How sad that they were blind to the fact that it was their own sins which were the problem. The principle of "seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (MaL 6:33) is true for all ages and one to which leaders of the Lord's people today should aspire, thus setfing godly example in a materialistic age.

The everlasting and electing love of God had been demonstrated time after time, and it is sad that the people, doubting God's love towards them, should react angrily with self~omplacence to the probing questions of God's

~ as he challenged them about the standard of their spiritual service.

"Wherein (or How) Have We Despised Thy Name?"

The Lord of hosts was also Israel's Father and Master. The law demanded that a family honour its parents, but Israel, His son, His firstborn no longer showed respect. Lack of respect followed on from lack of love - it's a downward spiral. Many years had elapsed since Esau had despised his birthright and it is sad that the posterity of Jacob, who was loved of the Lord, had now also sunk to this level so that special relationship through divine election was no longer valued.

What a danger in despising "the day of small things" (Zech. 4:10) and so despising His Name!

Leaders who, more than most, should have had love and respect for the Lord, now tolerated standards unworthy of their King (Mal. 1:7): "ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar. And ye say

"Wherein (or How) Have We Polluted Thee?"

The public service of the people of God reflected their innermost thoughts. No longer was the service of God the foremost thing in their minds. "Does it really matter?" was fast becoming "It doesn't matter" and so the priests - the spiritual leaders tolerated the inferior offerings being brought. They gave far more respect to their earthly rulers - "Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee?"

A similar attitude is perhaps displayed in the Church of God in Corinth (see 1 Cor. 11). The Church of God was in danger of being despised; the preciousness of spiritual service in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus was being destroyed because they did not discern in the emblems the Person of their Saviour. It needed a strong spiritual leader, like Paul, to correct the situation. God longed for such a man in the days of Malachi, even if it was one who had the wisdom and perception to close the door of the Temple. Far better to have no sacrifice than have sacrifices offered which brought shame to God and subsequent

judgement to the people (cf. Malachi 1:10 and 1 Cor. 11:29). "Shut the doors" is God's longing as He witnesses the decline of His people - a decline led by unspiritual men who regard His service as "contemptible", "a weariness". These were the men who should have been giving a lead:

"The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts" (2:7). Far from upholding God's law, they had not rightly divided the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15 RVM) and had e~rased judgement with respect of persons, something so condemned by James in his epistle.

Within the remnant there was a remnant who, rather: than speakmg against the Lord, spoke one with another. There were the faithful who '~eared the LORD". They had listened and they responded, bringing a sense of hope to the situation.

They tolerated marriage which "profaned the holiness of the LORD" and this is challenged along with their hypocritical attitude in covering the altar with tears, with weeping, with sighing. God was weary because "thou hast not called upon Me, 0 Jacob; but thou hast been weary of Me,.O Israel

thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities" (Is. 43: 22-24). They say

"Wherein (or How) Have We

Wearied Him?"

God tells them! You say, "Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delighteth in them" (2:17). They seem to assume that the prosperity of the wicked is evidence of God's approval, and that black is white. "Ye turn things upside down" (Is. 29:16).

But it is not all bad - there sfilI remains an expectation of a Messiah "the Lord, whom ye seek ... cometh" (3:1). Little did they appreciate the implication of His coming, however, and this raises the question of our own anticipation Qf the return of the Lord Jesus for believers. We long for it, no doubt, but do we fully realize that subsequent to it is a time of "giving account" something especially true of Jeaders (cf. Rom. 14:12 and Heb. 13:17). Despite all their rebellion (though it is doubtful that the people regarded themselves as rebellious) God longs for their recovery. "Return" is the longing cry of the Ahnighty. In every age it is true that "in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Is. 30:15).

"Wherein (or How) Shall We Return?"

"Returning" is a serious spiritual exercise. A consideration of Numbers 13-14 and Deuteronomy 1 shows that the words of ten of the twelve spies swayed the nation to rebel against Moses and thus agalnst the Lord, and

caused the revoking of His promise and subsequent years of wilderness wandering. "We have sinned", they said, yet presumed to continue to act against the word of the Lord, with serious results; "Ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD hearkened not to your voice" (Deut. 1:45). We cannot treat with disdain the mercy of God nor His feelings! But to draw near with true hearts and in fulness of faith - how blessed an experience.

"Wherein (or How) Have We Robbed Thee?"

they may say. But the bringing of the "whole tithe" would be evidence of a change of direction. The "whole tithe" is God's portion - it's the best - it's what is due Him, and those who honour Him, He will honour, as He promises.

"Wherein (or How) Have We Spoken Against Thee?"

"Take with you words, and return unto the LORD" was the encouragement through Hosea (14:2), but here was a situation where words were spoken against the Lord - stout words, words which said, "it is vain to serve God: and what profit is it?" (3:14). It's not worth it!

This is the attitude of the unregenerate man as Job 21 shows. "They said unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.

What is the Almighty that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?" Is it being unfair to God's chosen people to suggest that they were fast becoming like the man of the world who has no thought of God and wishes no thought of God to disturb his life?

But it is not all sadness! Within the remnant there was a remnant who, rather than speaking against the Lord, spoke one with another. There were the faithful who "feared the LORD". They had listened and they responded, bringing a sense of hope to the situation. They "thought upon His Name" that Name despised by others of their nation - and in their exercise discovered that the Lord had said, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end" (Jer.

29:11).

It is clear from the questions we have considered that the leaders of Malachi's day did not see themselves as God saw them and this is an ever present danger in our own times. How can this best be combated? Perhaps a prayerful and constant consideration of 1 Peter 5:1-11 by elders today will reveal the way in which to combat many of the problems revealed in the seven "whereins", and lead to the united voice of leaders with the people of God declaring, "and we will not forsake the house of our God". Hope indeed in the latter end of our days!

Leonard Ross, Aberdeen, Scotland | Nov 1993
Leadership In Remnant Times